1. Personalized System for
Instruction (PSI)
• “as fast as they can or as slowly as they need”

2. Background
• Originally designed in the
1960s by Dr. Fred Keller
• Used for university
psychology courses
(> 300 students/class)

3. What is PSI?
• Student-centered approach
• Course/topic is broken
into modules
• Modules into units
• Places more responsibility
on student
• Allows teacher to monitor class

4. Components of PSI
• Learning is self-paced
• Mastery-based learning
• Content is passed on via written
instructions
• Proctors
• Lectures and demos designed to
increase motivation

5. Benefits
• Student learning is increases
• Higher rates of:
Engagement
Skill practice
Academic learning time
Verbal & non-verbal feedback

6. Goals of PSI
• Student mastery
1Small units
2Coherent
progression
3Demonstration of
mastery
4. Observable
criterion
5. Corrective
actions

7. What Do Students Need?
• Readiness for learning
Independent?
Reading skills?
Responsible?
Are they receptive to the idea?

8. PSI Approach

9. Task Presentation
• Written text
• Pictures
• Videos

10. What about the Teacher?
• Appropriate learning
• Able to explain in writing
• Break down skills
• Meaningful assessments

11. PSI
Provisions
• Self paced
• Intrinsic motivation
• Teaches personal
responsibility
• Aids in technology
learning
• Literacy
• More freedom for teacher
Conclusions
• Meaningful?
• Teacher needs to
be expert ?
• Student readiness
• Can’t continue until
completed

12. Which Situation
Grade Level PSI? Adaptations?
Preschool No
Elementary No
Middle School/Jr. High Yes •Decrease learning tasks
•Simplify
•Stations
•Task cards
•Others?
High School Yes •Peer teaching
•Media
•Teacher checked tasks
•Others?
Adults Yes None

13. Summary
• Self Paced
• Less time in instruction
• Increases intrinsic motivation
• More responsibility on student
• Ton of work for teacher to set up
• More activity